Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Final Post
During the course of the semester I have been able to learn further about diverse cultures. I feel I am able to evaluate pieces of literature representing a particular group because of the information I have been exposed to from this course. I am more aware of stereotypes and the type of language for these particular groups that we have studied. In particular I am more aware of stereotypes of Native Americans and the language used for GLBT. I believe I am able to critical read children’s literature and ultimately decide if I would want these texts in my future classroom.
The most important thing I have learned from this course is to expose children to authentic pieces of quality literature from a variety of cultures. With that I will be having a diverse library within my future classroom of all cultures studied within this course.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Article
In the article Bishop discusses how there are many famous African American “insider” authors including Lucille Clifton and Mildred Taylor. Bishop also discusses how there is not many prominent “insider” illustrators for African American literature for children. Once reading about the contrast between the numbers of well-known African American “insider” authors to illustrators, I began to question the effects it has on children literature as a whole.
As many of the books young children read have illustrations, I began to question the authenticity of picture books that are or are not illustrated by an “insider” to the African American culture. Ultimately, one has to question is an “insider” illustrator more authentic than an “outsider”? While taking this course, I have concentrated on literary aspects of African American literature. However, before the final project, many of the books read consisted of literature without illustrations. Now, I am evaluating texts including illustrations, so are my chosen books authentic if both not the author and illustrator are “insiders” to African American culture?
Final Project Reflection
After reading and reviewing the children’s books, I realized many connections within the African American literature I had chosen. Of the four books I chose, three of the books are from the child’s perspective. By the authors choosing to write the story from the child’s perspective, I believe it allows children to relate and understand the text better. I particularly think it allows students to better understand difficult topics such as disabilities in My Friend Jacob and segregation both in Friendship and Smell of Roses. Both Friendship and Smell of Roses deal with the issue of segregation between blacks and whites. I believe the segregation between black and whites is an important aspect of American history that children need to learn about in order to promote equality between all races.
Overall, all the text I chose involved bonds of either friendship or family. The family bond between Grandma and granddaughter exists in The Patchwork Quilt and the friendship between the young boy and Jacob in My Friend Jacob. The bond between siblings also prominently existed both in Friendship between Cassie and her brothers as well as the young girl and her sister, Minnie, in Smell of Roses. Ultimately, all the books allow children people to relate to the text because family and/or friendship is a commonality amongst all groups of people.
The Patchwork Quilt
Flournoy, Valerie. The Patchwork Quilt.
My Friend Jacob
Smell of Roses
Johnson, Angela. Sweet Smell of Roses.
Friendship
Friendship by Mildred Taylor is a story about a group of African American children living in Mississippi during the 1930’s. During the 1930’s segregation between blacks and whites was prominent and Cassie, the narrator, is no exception. In the novel Cassie’s mother does not allow her and her brothers to attend John Wallace’s store because of his attitude towards black people. Once encountering Mr. Tom Bee, an older black man, the children discover Tom and John have been friends for many years due to him saving John's life. Ultimately, John betrays his friendship with Tom shooting him in the leg.
Taylor chooses to depict topics such as racism and segregation through a child’s perspective. By Taylor choosing to portray these topics by a child, I believe it makes these issues more understanding for children. Racism and segregation are important and difficult concepts to grasp, but Cassie’s experiences and emotions allow children to further understand the time period. The novel not only includes history of the south, but principals about friendship as well. I think many children will be able to relate to the novel because of the concept of friendship being tested by peer pressure and betrayal.